First Report of Microcystins and Anatoxin-a Co-occurrence in San Roque Reservoir (Córdoba, Argentina)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of microcystin-LR, microcystin-RR, microcystin-YR, and the neurotoxin anatoxin-a in water samples collected monthly during 1 year in San Roque reservoir (Córdoba, Argentina) to identify the environmental factors that could promote the presence of these cyanotoxins. The HPLC-UV and MS/MS analysis showed the presence of microcystin in most of the sampling times, even when Cyanobacteria were subdominant. Microcystin concentrations varied from not detectable levels to 119.0 μg L−1. Thus, they frequently surpassed the guidelines suggested by WHO for drinking water (1 μg L−1) and recreational exposure (20 μg L−1). To the extent of our knowledge, this is the first report of anatoxin-a in freshwaters in South America. Anatoxin-a concentrations varied from not detectable levels to 6.6 ng L−1, a thousand times below the provisional guideline adopted by New Zealand for drinking water. Microcystin showed significant correlation with Microcystis and Pseudoanabaena while anatoxin-a correlated with Oscillatoria and Anabaena counts. Linear discriminant analysis showed that higher pH levels and more variable chlorophyll-a concentrations were measured in San Roque reservoir when cyanotoxins were present. Lower inorganic nitrogen concentrations were observed in autumn, when the prevalence of Anabaena became significant in Cyanobacteria composition and highest anatoxin-a levels were measured. The observed dynamic of phytoplankton going together with the cyanotoxins occurrence could be explained by the hypothesis of cyanotoxins acting as allelopathic compounds. The microcystin levels measured plus the presence of anatoxin-a show the need of stronger management efforts to preserve human and wildlife health.